BRANCHBURG -- The daughter of former Gov. Christie Whitman is one of three people appointed to the Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

Kate WhitmanKate Whitman, who lost a bid for a Peapack-Gladstone council seat in June, was appointed to the post along with First Community Bank CEO Peter G. Schoberl and Hunterdon Executive County Superintendent of Schools Gerald J. Vernotica by the
Somerset County Board of Freeholders on Wednesday.

“Kate Whitman’s public policy experience and background in communications will be an asset to the RVCC Board of Trustees. I am excited that she will be carrying on the tradition of service to the college that started with her mother, Christine Todd Whitman,”

RVCC President Dr. Casey Crabill said in a statement.

During the last few years Whitman, 32, has made several unsuccessful attempts at following in her mother’s footsteps into public office. In June, the Peapack resident lost a race for one of two available town council seats.

She previously lost a Congressional race to Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th Dist.) in 2008 and failed get a screening committee endorsement for Somerset County freeholder due to a lack of experience.

Whitman, who serves as the director of development for the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, said she was excited and honored by the appointment.

“Working with the Girl Scouts we see the need for quality, affordable education every day. Kids need a place to learn that is safe, innovative and supportive. Community colleges like RVCC are working to provide an affordable environment to foster educational and extracurricular growth in students,” she said. “I hope that I can continue in the excellent tradition of the board. I hope my background in communications, policy and fundraising will help RVCC achieve its strategic goals.”

Whitman, the mother of twin 4-year-old girls, joins Schoberl, a Hillsborough resident and former chairman of the RVCC Foundation, and Vernotica, a Long Valley resident with a nearly four-decade long career in public education, as the newest members of the board.